Volume 10, Issue 2 - January 14 2006

Stop Narconon

You can fax the Leona Valley Town Council, if you get it to the local office of 5th District LA County Supervisor Michael Antonovich, no later than mid-day Monday (Jan 9th) at [telephone number].

The next town council meeting is scheduled for 7:30 that evening.

The town council is already opposed to the Narconon facility opening in their area, but they need better ammunition to support their arguments. Let's give them some.

Fax your polite letter to [telephone number], explaining why the people of Leona Valley should oppose the opening of a Narconon facility adjacent to their town. Include some URLs in your letter.

[...]

By the way: it looks like the location for this proposed Narconon facility is the former site of [Canyon Oaks] Ranch, the Scientology reform school for "troubled" kids, a.k.a. the "Little Ranch of Horrors". The property is currently owned by Church of Scientology Religious Trust.

Linus Torvalds on Scientology

[START QUOTE]
Margie: What about school for the kids? Are y'all going to stay here in the states for them to go to school?

Linus: Well that used to be kind of a major worry between us. We've seen some strange things. Tove was off looking for preschools, because you start so early here in the U.S. I looked closer at one of the papers she brought home, and found it mentioned internal link L. Ron Hubbard. I started asking around about the place, and it turns out there are a scientology school, and they don't mention the fact that they are associated with scientology anywhere in their literature. And that kind of makes me nervous. I don't want to put my child in a scientology school by mistake.
[END QUOTE]

Scientology on French TV

We have seen MichaŽl Pattinson and Bruce Hines plus another ex-Sea Orger girl speaking of Cruise and scientology. Excellent.

Three or four french or american journalists were also interviewed.

Most interesting for me: Cruise was seen in "Applied Scholastics" seat inauguration, explaining that he WAS dyslexic... and one could understand that if he was no longer dyslexic, it was a sientology result. He was also making a Tone 40 declaration explaining that he'll see that everyone on this planet gets the study tech and uses it.

Scientology-Related Videos

This takes some explaining. The press conference was advertised for the press and protesters only. We hired an off-duty policeman for security. Rod Keller was at the door initially. Here comes Moxon, Anderson, Rinder and I think Weiland demanding to be let in. Rod said nope, so they got all huffy and left.

Meanwhile, Sylvia Stanard and Mary Story had shown press credentials for Freedom Magazine, so we let them in. Now you can decide if they were there as reporters or as agitators.

This was our first protest and press conference in Clearwater. We got quite a bit of media coverage, but as you can see, we needed a bit more practice in managing the Q&A section.

Anti-Ritalin Legislation in Utah

No one, not parents, teachers, or the school board, wants teachers diagnosing and/or forcing treatment of disorders on their pupils. Yet Rep. Mike Morley, sponsor of last year's HB 42, the so-called anti-Ritalin bill, is planning to run similar legislation this session, to prohibit school personnel from recommending that parents seek behavioral treatment or psychotropic medication for their child.

His bill would essentially reiterate the school board policy, or might be even more restrictive. Among his allies are Scientologists, who believe ADHD and other mental and emotional diagnoses are not real disorders, and the Eagle Forum, defending families against state intervention.

[...]

I have interviewed Morley; Sandra Lucas, a Scientologist and spokesperson for the Citizens Commission for Human Rights (CCHR), a group "dedicated to investigating and exposing psychiatric violations of human rights"; Patty Harrington, state school superintendent; and Carol Lear, director of school law for the state school board. My references are available on request.

First, ADHD is a well-documented disorder, with increasing evidence for a functional, anatomic basis in the brain. This runs contrary to the belief of Scientologists and some others that it is a construct foisted on the public by money-hungry psychiatrists and drug companies, and not diagnosable by physical or chemical means.

[...]

Thus, both cardiomyopathy and ADHD can be diagnosed through sophisticated means not even dreamed of when L. Ron Hubbard founded Scientology in 1954.

[...]

I ask that Morley withdraw his legislation from the agenda, to avoid the rancorous, time-wasting debate of the past two years, and let the school board govern the schools. As for the Scientologists, they need to update their tenets to reflect the current state of science, which has advanced incredibly since the time of their founding father in 1954.
---
Tom Metcalf is a Salt Lake pediatrician.

Message ID: evu2s1tsp8mjff4e81htp9rduops07f21v@4ax.com

Dianetics on Wikipedia

On January 8, 2006 "Modemac" posted:

Chris Owen, who is probably one of the leading researchers on Scientology on the entire Internet, has done an exhaustive re-write of the Wikipedia article on Dianetics. It's definitely worth a look at, and commentary can be added to the "talk" page for the article:

E-meter 'security checks' - How to pass them

Alternate title: A book report on "Tremor in the blood" by David T Lykken

Introduction

Instead of L Ron Hubbard''s motto "WE COME BACK" I have suggested in the past that the real motto of a sea org member should be

WE COME BACK AND GET OUR FRIENDS & FAMILY OUT OF SCIENTOLOGY

I thought this wording would be far better because the the hardest thing to do is to get information over the fences and walls, both physical, legal, linguistic and imaginary to the current "True Believer"Note 1 of Scientology.

However going back for friends, demands staying 'in good standing' with the Scientology dissent police... and to do this, the most common question I get is "How do I pass the E-metered checks".

And yes this question does hit home due to Suzette Hubbard's involuntary revelation that she and I were about to elope the next day, after getting blood tests and a marriage license. She 'gave it up' on the thrid question given before the start of every Scientology session. The 'Withold' questions..

Are you witholding anything? Is there anything you have done that someone almost found out about?

Those whom scientology considers to be "in good standing" can only stay that way, if they develop the knowlege and skill necessary to defeat Scientology's E-meter.

Having been involved first hand in the fabrication of Hubbard's peculiar meter movement at Murcom industries in an industrial neighborhood south of the city of Los Angeles, and the manufacture and calibration of Mark V E-meter's at Delta Meter, in early 1970's, and then having gone back to community college for electronics technology after loosening Hubbard's mental traps.. I am somewhat familiar with the devices and how they appear to work..

Consider the following information carefully - from chapter 2

" A Brief History of Lie Detection

This is a quote from a fellow named Larson, a forensic psychiatrist, who became interested in lie detection when he was a Berkley california Police officer, whose chief, August Vollmer, was profoundly affected by William Moulton Marston, a Harvard profession of psychology's. 1908 book "On the witness stand" and subsequent publications that earned him the title of the Inventor of the Lie Detector. Larson devoted much of his adult life to the pursuit of means to detect lies.. for use in criminal investigations.

"Most recently, Larson has said:

I originally hoped that instrumental lie detection would become a legitimate part of professional police science. it is little more than a racket. The lie detector, as used in many places, is nothing more than a psychological third degree aimed at extorting confessions as the old physical beatings were. At times I'm sorry I ever had any part in its development.

As the E-meter's 'reputation' as a truth finder seems high inside scientology, the fact of Xenu story (which is an undisputed lie fabricated by Hubbard ) and the fact of course that hubbard was a liar, and a theif http://www.lermanet.com/exit/volcanos.html immediately casts great doubt on Hubbard's claims that the E-meter is good for anything at all, beyond being " a psychological third degree aimed at extorting confessions as the old physical beatings were."

Message ID: n3b5s1dploir1qife289gotmka58n8f0lf@4ax.com

Sklar Loss and Legality of Scientology-IRS Agreement

On January 9, 2006, "David Touretzky" posted:

Michael and Marla Sklar, who sued the IRS twice because they were not allowed to deduct the cost of Jewish religious training for the children, while Scientologists are allowed to deduct the costs of Scientology training, have lost again.

I'm not a lawyer, but from a quick reading of the opinion, they appear to have lost because unlikey Scientology, the yeshiva their kids attended provided a mixture of secular and religious education, and "petitioners claims did not meet the requirements for partial deductibility of dual payments established by United States v. Am. Bar Endowment, 477 U.S. 105 (1986)."

But check out this footnote, which seems to suggest that Scientology's 1993 agreement with the IRS is illegal:

In Sklar v. Commissioner, 282 F.3d 610, 612 n.3 (9th Cir. 2002), affg. T.C. Memo. 2000-118, the U.S. Court of Appeals said it is strongly inclined to the view that sec. 170 was not amended in 1993 to permit deductions for which the consideration is intangible religious benefits, and that Hernandez v. Commissioner, 490 U.S. 680, 702 (1989), is still controlling.

To read more about Scientology's secret agreement with the IRS, visit Chris Owen's "Scientology vs. the IRS" page:

Last Year: Scientology This Year: We Are Scientists

On January 12, 2006 the UCLA Bruin reported:

There's nothing hipper than new indie buzz bands, and the ready-for-stardom We Are Scientists is getting an early start on 2006 by releasing "With Love and Squalor" the week after the new Strokes album.

Scientology, on the other hand, took a beating in 2005. Prominent member Tom Cruise made headlines by following up his PR-stunt relationship with Katie Holmes and the bizarre (not to mention potentially illegal) purchase of a sonogram machine to monitor her pregnancy - not to mention his infamous TV meltdowns on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and "The Today Show." If that's what Scientology does to its members, it's best to avoid practicing it in 2006.

Kirstie Alley: "Scientology Didn't Help"

New York: Former "Cheers" star and Scientology devotee Kirstie Alley has questioned the religion saying that it may not be as inspirational as is claimed because it did not help her to diet.

According to hollywood.com, Alley once weighed 220 pounds and was forced to seek advice from weight loss expert Jenny Craig to help her shed weight, despite Scientology's claim to hold the answer to dieting.

[...]

Message ID: _02xf.17573$oW.1002@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com

Narconon Begs for Free Services, Recruiting Volunteers

On January 11, 2006 "David Touretzky" posted:

Narconon of Northern California is asking around trying to get free advertising services. The email below is a sample of one of their solicitations:

Hello. My name is [NAME REMOVED] and I work for Narconon which is a Non-Profit Public Benefit 501c3 organization that helps people with drug and alcohol addictions. I wanted to speak with someone about billboard space or design services. As we are a non-profit, we can provide you with a receipt for a tax write-off for the full retail price for any un-leased space or design donated. Please let me know who I need to speak with.

In the past, VolunteerMarch.org has delisted certain groups who proved not to be legitimate charities.

I don't know what their stance on Narconon is. Perhaps some information about Narconon's deceptive practices should be brought to their attention. For example: Narconon is run on Hubbard management tech; they have the green volumes and "Introduction to Scientology Ethics" in their offices, and they use them. Yet this religious practice is not disclosed to would-be volunteers. Such deceptive advertising would be one reason to de-list them. Another reason would be that they promote medically dangerous treatments, and charge substantial prices -- $20,000 cash up front.

Hubbard's Non-Originations: ARC Triangle

On January 11, 2006 "ewsnead" posted:

Contrary to the assumptions of many Scientologists, Hubbard did not originate the conception of the ARC triangle. Reliable Scientology scholars (working the graveyard shift) have just informed me that this key element descended from the Yogic triad of Bliss, Knowledge and Being.

In Hindu Tantric lore, just below Absolute Reality there exists the spiritual domain of dualism, sometimes referred to as the mundane. It is here where these three elements are introduced.

Bliss (orJoy) translates into "the awareness of the desirability or undesirability of something" (Affinity). Knowledge becomes belief or agreement, and Being means extension of being or communication.

This schema was channeled to Hubbard by Aleister Crowley. It can be found in Crowley's Book 4 within the chapters of the "wand" (Will) and the "cup" (Understanding). In Scientology, Affinity, Reality and Communication add up to Understanding. The KRC triangle (Knowledge, Responsibility and Control) is explicated within the chapter of the "wand," which pertains to the Will.

I discovered this in the 2nd edition of "Messiah or Madman." (near the appendix)

Does anyone else on ARS have further information about connection between the ARC Triangle, Crowley and Tantric Yoga?

Message ID: oNGdnY7w3-LsuFjenZ2dnUVZ_s6dnZ2d@comcast.com

Scientologist slams psychiatry

WASHINGTON - When Joseph Feshbach, a Scientologist, joined QuadraMed Corp.'s board in 2001 he didn't think the health-care information technology company would ever involve itself with the "pseudo-science" of psychiatry.

So when the company decided to market its pharmacy software to psychiatric hospitals, Feshbach quit.

"Psychiatry is a pseudo-science and its practices, including the widespread use of psychotropics, is leaving widespread misery and even death in its wake," Feshbach told the board in his resignation letter filed Tuesday with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A spokeswoman for the Reston, Va., company declined to discuss Feshbach's decision.

Feshbach, a member of the Church of Scientology, told Dow Jones Newswires "I didn't expect something like this to happen."

Like other adherents to Scientology, Feshbach is opposed to the practice of psychiatry, including drug treatments for depression and other psychological disorders.

Scientology's objections to psychiatry got mainstream exposure in June 2005 with a denunciation of the profession by Scientologist Tom Cruise on The Today Show. Feshbach, however, said his resignation was a result of his personal belief and not his adherence to Scientology.

Scientology vs. Science at Anti-Psychiatry Museum

Psychiatry, says L. Ron Hubbard's church, is responsible for Nazism, school shootings, and even 9/11

[...]

Even before I start writing this column, and pretty much regardless of what I say, I know I am going to tick off the Scientologists. I know this because I have ticked them off already.

A few days ago, I visited their new anti-psychiatry museum in Hollywood, thinking, correctly, that it would offer an intriguing window into the thinking of a notoriously secretive organization. With a name like "Psychiatry: Industry of Death," the exhibit was not exactly going to be coy about its point of view.

[...]

Within a minute or two, it was clear she was not nearly as interested in our opinion of the way the exhibit was put together - which was how I chose to interpret her question - as she was in bombarding us with more talking points about the evils of psychiatry. I told her I wasn't a scientist and had no interest in getting into a detailed argument about the benefits or dangers of mood-altering drugs; on the other hand, she wasn't a scientist either, and the Church of Scientology had absolutely no standing to pronounce on medical issues. That clearly riled her, because by the time I got home there was an e-mail waiting in which she called our meeting "the most bizarre encounter I have had with a reporter in 10 years" and essentially berated me for refusing to engage in an argument she was clearly itching to have.

None of this should come as a surprise to anyone who has followed the recent outbursts of Łber-Scientologist Tom Cruise - his trashing of Brooke Shields after she went public about her post-partum depression, or his set-to with Matt Lauer about Ritalin, in which he proclaimed himself an expert on the history of psychiatry and made almost as big a fool of himself as he had by jumping up and down on Oprah's couch. The crudeness of the anti-psychiatric argument is tinged with a distinct patina of paranoia. It's not enough for Scientologists to express their near-pathological hatred of psychiatry in all its forms; they also have to feel they are being persecuted for their beliefs.

[...]

This nonsense might be funny if it weren't also so perniciously influential. The gala opening of the museum, just before Christmas, was a star-studded affair headlined by Anne Archer, Jenna Elfman, and much of the rest of Hollywood's Scientologist elite. The museum is a no-expense-spared, slick exercise in propaganda aimed at the widest possible audience. As the distinctly creepy recruitment slogan illuminated above the final video display had it: "You are safe as long as we are here."

[...]

Andrew Gumbel is the author of Steal This Vote (Nation Books).

Message ID: eulcs1lf0kresl1houqkuqb1tpaq86iq20@4ax.com

Scientology Cashing in on Katrina

On January 12, 2006, "Gerry Armstrong" posted:

I just received a postcard the cult mailed to its members stating:

[Quote]

The new Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act of 2005:

In September, new legislation was passed providing many tax benefits to people and business affected by Hurricane Katrina. This legislation allows temporary tax benefits to anyone making a contribution toward Scientology training and processing services between August 28 and December 31, 2005. (Gifts do not have to relate to hurricane relief.)

Prior to this legislation, a taxpayer who itemizes his/her deductions could deduct 100% of charitable cash contributions to the Church of Scientology, but only up to 50% of his/her adjusted gross income. The new legislation removes the 50% limitation and allows a taxpayer who itemizes his/her deductions to take 100% of the total charitable cash contributions (donated between Aug. 28 and Dec. 31, 2005) as a charitable tax deduction up to 100% of his/her adjusted gross income.

How this affects you: The amountyou donate by December 31st can help to significantly reduce the amount of taxes you need to pay this year. This enables you to donate for more services and thus make it up The Bridge sooner than you think!

Consult your tax advisor or call the ASHO Day Registrar to find out more details!

[...]

Church of Scientology Western U.S.
American Saint Hill Organization Day
1413 L. Ron Hubbard Way
Los Angeles, California 90027

NON-PROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
LOS ANGELES, CA
PERMIT#1570

[Reverse]

New legislation makes it easier than ever to donate for your Bridge!

Talk to your Registrar about the new Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act of 2005.

[End Quote]

Message ID: cceds11maddbv3d1tcc6592t6m0uqoar6a@4ax.com

One of Hubbard's sources online

On January 13, 2006, Kevin Brady posted:

Korzybski's "Science and Sanity", the whole thing, availabe free, online, and you don't even have to download it.

Exposing the Con - More from Germany

"Good always defeats evil," wrote demagogue Graham Berry in a 6 June 2003 post to alt.religion.scientology. This was his conclusion after summing up the effects of an interview in which he betrayed Bob Minton to the world as having "changed sides" ("Berliner Zeitung," May 30, 2002, Berlin, Germany). Once Ursula Caberta had denounced Minton in German court, explained Berry, she would be free to finally defeat the "evil" cult. The evidence against Bob Minton was the key that would unlock Scientology's legal strategy in Germany. This one victory was the precursor to defeat for all Scientology's other lawsuits, with the grand consequence of the demise of the cult's "political lobbying" in Hamburg. Berry predicted that Scientology had "good reason to be nervous. And it is going to keep getting a whole lot worse."

As can now be seen with 20/20 hindsight, Graham Berry was mostly correct, but in reverse.

In the criminal proceedings from 2000-2002, Caberta, though not convicted of corruption for having taken Minton's money, was fined 7,500 euro in June 2002.

In celebrating her purported victory at only being fined, as opposed to convicted, Caberta made libelous statements about Scientology for which she, supposedly wise to the ways of the Scientologists, was subsequently sued. Caberta was found liable, and this severely restricted her ability to speak at all about the cult she was supposed to be warning people about. Because Caberta was not found liable on all counts, another victory against Scientology was routinely proclaimed and celebrated.